146
Chapter 36
Richard Wagner
The Valkyrie
Chapter at a Glance
Listen to This First
Texture: The Relationship of Voice and Orchestra
Word-Music Relationships: The Themes and the Drama
Connect Your Playlist: The Leitmotif
Profile: Richard Wagner (1813 1883)
Expand Your Playlist: Wagner
Chapter Objectives
After reading this chapter and listening to the work, students should be able to:
36.2 Describe the ways in which Wagner sought to change the nature of opera and
specifically the relationship between voice and orchestra.
36.4 Listen for the Leitmotifs associa
36.6 Identify the ways in which the idea behind each of the Leitmotifs in Richard
The Valkyrie
purely musical means.
Key Concepts
relationship of voices to orchestra, relationship of thematic ideas to the drama (the
Leitmotif )
–
This excerpt illustrates the principles behind the Wagnerian music-drama: voices and
instruments are placed on an equal footing, the declamation is largely syllabic, and
events on the stage are reflected in the music through a network of Leitmotifs.
147
Chapter Summary
The tale of a magic ring, gods, goddesses, dwarves, giants, and a struggle of good versus
evil Ring of the Nibelungs, a set of four operas based on
The
Valkyrie), Wotan (the chief of all other gods) is punishing his daughter Brünnhilde for
interfering in a matter among humans. He takes away her special powers, puts her to
Listening Guide
The Listening Guide focuses on the use of Leitmotifs; students should make sure to take
advantage of the Animated Notation examples on pages 304 305. The sections are
divided according to the action and the text, but the Leitmotifs recur in different
sections.
MyMusicLab Resources
Automated Listening Guide: Richard Wagner: The Valkyrie, Act III, selection
Chapter Audio: Chapter 36
Discussion Topics and Critical Thinking Questions
1. Ring of the Nibelungs may be
an allegory commenting on capitalism and communism?
2. Leitmotifs in his operas. How do they help listeners to better
understand the stage drama?
148
of the more typical love story found in Italian opera?
Activities and Exercises
1. The use of Leitmotifs has been picked up by film composers for several famous
series. Ask students to name those with which they are familiar. If they are at a loss,
play some scenes from Star Wars or Indiana Jones and ask them to identify the
meaning of the music.
Journaling Prompt
What aspects of his music distinguish the singing from other examples you have heard
in Listen to This!?